Laybutt readying for NRL start

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Young five-eighth Kyle Laybutt is set to make his National Rugby League and club debut when he partners veteran Ray Thompson in the halves in Saturday’s Round 15 clash with the Melbourne Storm.

The 21-year-old Bundaberg product was slated to play against the Eels in Darwin last round, but his expected NRL introduction was put on hold with team co-captain Johnathan Thurston a late call-up into the side after passing a fitness test on his shoulder.

Thurston led the Cowboys to a resounding 32-6 triumph in the Top End, the champion No.7 currently in camp with the Queensland team ahead of State of Origin II next Wednesday.

Thompson returns to NRL duty after missing the Eels game while he manages a knee complaint, the home-grown playmaker set to play his sixth match of the year.

Also returning to the top team is centre Javid Bowen, who will play inside in-form stalwart Antonio Winterstein.

Regular left centre Kane Linnett will shift to the back row in place of Gavin Cooper, who was recalled into the Maroons after being overlooked for Game I.

On the interchange bench, Green retains Ben Hampton, Shaun Fensom and Ben Spina, and welcomes back Corey Jensen for his fourth NRL outing.

The young Bowen product is in for Coen Hess, who is the Cowboys’ fourth Origin representative alongside Thurston, Cooper and Michael Morgan.